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Hammond suspends Grand Avenue pedestrian-bridge project after funding partner withdraws
Summary
Mayor announced the city is suspending the Grand Avenue pedestrian-bridge project after Norfolk Southern’s change in commitment left a roughly $2 million local match on a $5 million project; a press release was entered into the record.
The Hammond mayor told the council the city will suspend the Grand Avenue pedestrian-bridge project after a private partner’s funding commitment changed.
The mayor said Norfolk Southern originally agreed to help pay for the bridge and federal money covered 80% of an estimated $5,000,000 project, but a company personnel change led the new contact to deny the prior agreement. "I didn't think it was worth $2,000,000 of city money," the mayor said, referring to the local 20% match the city would have owed. He added the Governors Parkway project is expected to address many crossing issues in the long term.
Council President read the mayor's account into the record, and the council voted to make the city's press release announcing the suspension part of the official record.
During public comment, an online speaker, Mary Champion, urged stronger contract safeguards and said the mayor "got lied to," recommending the city secure commitments contractually in future negotiations. The council did not vote to restart or reallocate funds for the pedestrian bridge at the meeting.
The press release about the suspension was made part of the official record; no further action on the project was taken at this meeting.
